Lacrosse (NCAA Men) vs Lacrosse Sixes — Same Game, Different Rules

NCAA men's lacrosse uses three stick length classifications, defined as total length including the head: Per Rule 1-16, the standard game-ball color is fluorescent green or yellow (similar to hex code #ccff00) — allowable beginning with the 2027 season and required beginning with the 2028 season;...

Personal protective equipment — Men's (Rule 2.4.1M): All Men's-discipline Players are required to wear protective gloves and a protective helmet designed for lacrosse, equipped with a facemask and a chinstrap fastened on both sides. Suitable shoes must be worn.

The center of the midfield line is the faceoff spot ("X"), where every faceoff is taken — at the start of each quarter, after each goal, and after specified violations.

Field (Rule 1.1.1): The playing field for all World Lacrosse Sixes events is rectangular, 70 m long and 36 m wide, with out-of-bounds lines measured from the inside edge of the line. For events not recognized or approved by World Lacrosse, field d...

Each team fields 10 players at any time: 1 goalkeeper, 3 defensemen, 3 midfielders, and 3 attackmen. The team must have at least 3 players in the offensive half and 4 in the defensive half (including the goalkeeper) at all times except during specified transitions and after a faceoff.

Players to begin a game (Rule 3.1.3): A full team is composed of six (6) Players on the field — five (5) field Players and one (1) Goalkeeper. Each team must always have a legally equipped Goalkeeper on the field; if injuries or fouls reduce a tea...

The faceoff is taken at the center "X" at the start of each quarter and after each goal. The two faceoff midfielders (FOGOs in modern practice) line up on their offensive side of the midfield line; their sticks rest on the ground parallel to the l...

Under Rule 5.1.4, sudden-death golden goal is no longer used. When the score is tied at the end of regulation, play continues with a full three-minute overtime period of stopped time, and the team leading when that period ends is declared the winn...

A goal is scored when the entire ball passes the goal line into the goal, propelled by an attacking player's stick. The official confirms goals on the field; specific goal/no-goal reviewable situations may be reviewed via NCAA video review (e.g., ...

Goal (Rule 6.6.1): A goal is scored when the ball, whether loose or in a Player's possession, completely passes through the plane of the goal. A valid shot on goal requires the Player's stick head to be above the Goal Line Extended when the ball i...

Technical fouls are infringements that do not warrant time in the penalty box.

Minor fouls cover violations not specifically listed as major or expulsion fouls (Rule 7.1.1) and include interference (Rule 7.2.1), holding (Rule 7.2.3), withholding the ball from play (Rule 7.2.4), illegal procedure (Rule 7.2.7), offside (Rule 7...

NCAA men's lacrosse mandates NOCSAE-approved helmets and mouthpieces, properly fitted shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves, and a protective cup; goalkeepers additionally wear a NOCSAE-approved throat protector and chest protector. Helmets must remain ...

Lacrosse Sixes is designed with reduced-contact rules relative to traditional men's field lacrosse: Rule 8.3.1 makes body-checking of an opponent illegal in any form, and stick-based contact is tightly regulated through the slashing (Rule 8.3.2), ...